Weddings And Marriages

Robert Reno asked:


Most people will say that wedding photography is both an art and a science. You need to capture the right emotions during key times that can not be recreated. So how much does a wedding photographer cost? I will tell you this much, you will usually get what you pay for. This includes the creativity and time spent to create something unique. A professional wedding photographer in Michigan works very hard for the fee they request.

 

You want your wedding to be perfect, and nothing is more important than the images from your once in a lifetime special event. You will look back on these photos ten or twenty years from now reflecting on these precious memories. What do you expect from your wedding photographer? Do you want something simple, or something truly customized to your needs? This is a question you will have to ask yourself before finding out how much a wedding photographer will cost.

 

How Much Does a Wedding Photographer Cost

 

Well have you decided on what you’re looking for yet? Before you do, you will need to understand the difference between cheap and good. I am sure you heard the slogan, ‘Cheap is not good and good is not cheap’. You will usually get what you pay for. As mentioned earlier this will be reflected in the time and energy put into your wedding day.

 

Knowing that your memories are on the line, you will have to feel comfortable with the wedding photographer you hire for your special occasion. Do you get the vibe that they will be able to deliver on your wedding day? Can they handle the expectations you have set for them? The best advice is to look over their portfolio and see if you notice any trends. If you do, then you are probably dealing with a cookie cutter service that does not step outside the sphere of influence often. Another Biggie is recent references from brides within the last six months. These people will be able to tell you how they felt about their decision and the wedding photographer you are considering.

 

Cheap Wedding Photographers in Michigan

 

Buyer beware, there are many part time hobbyist out there that claim the title as a full time devoted wedding specialist. When looking over their portfolios do you notice color and emotion? Do their pictures tell a story about the day as it unfolds? Some different poses and indoor outdoor shots will give you an idea of the imagination of the vendor you are working with. This has to be one of the most important aspects of the choice you make. For example, many cheap wedding photographers in Michigan might not carry this trait. If they do, then their prices may be set low to acquire business because of a lack of referrals. You will have to do the investigating to figure out how their prices compare and what is the reasoning behind their pricing structure.

 

Average Wedding Photographer Prices

 

It never ceases to amaze me that most brides make decisions based on pricing alone. This is a big no no when it comes to hiring the company that can make or break the entire evening let alone day. Going back to what we said earlier price should be the least important factor. Now I would like you to think really hard for one moment.

 

Do you want your wedding reception and wedding ceremony pictures to be average

 

Honestly, no bride does. Your wedding is different from all the others being planned. So how does your photographer set him/herself apart from the competition? Do they bring additional assistants to get more than one perspective? What is the turn around time on the proofs? To help you distinguish between the average and the exceptional, I have laid out a couple of helpful tips on how to choose a wedding photographer below.

 

Why hire a professional wedding photographer

 

First of all you will have piece of mind knowing that you are in good hands. The last thing you need to be is stressed on your wedding day wondering if the photographer is going to show up. Now you many save hundreds by cutting corners and going with a lower priced service, but it may cost you thousands later down the road. Looking back on those precious images will they hold up to the standards and quality that you were expecting? Also a professional wedding photographer has to be able to finesse themselves into intimate situations to get the shot. This means having the courtesy not to compromise that special moment just to get the shot.

 

How do I search for a professional wedding photographer

 

If you stumbled upon this article, then you are searching over the web. This is a good place to start to get a general idea of what is expected. From there I would setup up several consultations to see their work and discuss their packages. Something to pay close attention to is the way they handle their consultation. Are you just another bride, or do they work extra hard to make sure you completely understand the options and how they will personalize your day? If you are hung up on the pricing, then you may ignore their reasoning and justifications until you get a price and that can cloud your decision.

 

Another good place to start the hunt for the photographer is through friends and family. They will also be able to tell you of their experiences and results. Make sure to get references and check with at least three of them. Most wedding photographers in Michigan will travel. Find out what their coverage area is if you are planning a destination wedding.

 

Narrow down the list of photographers for your wedding

 

Now that you are a pro at interviewing and knowing what to expect, you may be on the fence with several companies. Do not get me wrong, price is important but going back to the main question you will have to find out what you want. Not all photographers are created equally so you will have to find the one that suits your particular style. Several different styles are traditional, classic, and casual candid. You may also what to check with the cinematic or photojournalistic approaches. A professional wedding photographer will be able to distinguish and explain the different approaches better.

 

When do I speak with my wedding photographer company

 

Everyone is different on this issue. Personally a reputable company will want to maintain a close relation and constant communication with their client to ensure a mutual understanding. However, some may have a few conversations over the phone or in their studio to finalize the details. Either way, it is important that you express exactly what you want so that the two of you are on the same page.

 

The photographer you are speaking with, will they be the one shooting on your big day? Make sure to see the portfolio shots of the actual photographer that will be shooting on your wedding day.

 

How much does a wedding photographer cost

 

The real question to ask, is how much will I be getting in value. This price range can vary between $1,000 to $10,000. You can expect to pay a minimum of $1,500 for a small Sunday wedding and a minimum of $2,500 for a small Saturday wedding. If you are offered a package for less than $1,000 then you are probably dealing with a cheap wedding photographer that does not have the experience. Most couples under estimate the cost of their photographer by as much as 50%! A good rule of thumb is to expect to pay twice as much as you are considering. A typical wedding photographer is usually 15-25% of the total wedding cost.

 

How Much Time Does a Professional Wedding Photographer require in order to give me what I need

 

The time your photographer spends on your wedding, will depend on what type of events you will have. No two weddings are the same, and your options vary. This includes:

 

Rehearsal dinners and services

Brides preparation

Formal bride and bridesmaid photography prior to the wedding

Formal bride and groom photography prior to the wedding

Wedding ceremony

Leaving the church (post ceremony)

Formal group photographs

Reception photography, including grand entrance, speeches, toasts, first dance, father daughter dance, mother son dance, bridal party dance, cake cutting, bouquet and garter, and final departure from the reception

 

How many wedding photographs should I get

 

Many professional wedding photographers include the cost of proofs in their packages. These proofs are typically 4×6″ prints. The amount of proofs will depend on how much film is shooting. The minimum is roughly 120-150 shots. This is a typical number to work from, because from there you can select the best shots for your album or to be enlarged.

 

About those wedding photography negatives, who keeps them

 

Some Michigan wedding photographers will keep the negatives and have their brides order reprints after the wedding reception. These photographers make a portion of their income from these orders and enlargements. These photographers will usually keep the negatives on file for 2 years giving you the option to order if necessary. Other wedding photographers in Michigan will give back the negatives for you to use. Keep in mind that this option may be more costly since you will only have to use their services once. Make sure to ask this question to find out what exactly happens to the negatives after the wedding.

 

Wedding Photography packages in Michigan

 

Many photographers in Michigan offer packages with their services that cover a variety of options. This way you can select the one that best fits with what you are looking for. It is sometimes more effective to have the wedding photographer arrange the album (if it is included in your package), because they will have the creativity of arranging the images in a way that tells a story. Not only will this save you time, but this cost is usually a small percentage of the total price. However the cost will depend on a couple of different things:

 

Time allowed to photograph the wedding ceremony and reception

The amount of wedding proofs/photos

The number of enlargements requested

The overall layout and type of photo albums. You can have them for your parents or just different themes. As mentioned earlier the cost is usually not that significant however the more expensive albums will have a better quality and longer life span.

 

Is black and white wedding photography still in style

 

A more traditional approach to wedding photos is black and white instead of color. This will give a timeless feel with a touch of elegance. Your wedding photographer should offer B&W along with color photos. You can always change a color picture into B&W, but a pro will shoot the negative in black and white. The impression that black and white photos will give is amazing, and usually these pictures are more costly. Any reputable wedding photographer should have a printer dedicated solely to printing these images.

 

Final considerations for a Wedding Photographer in Michigan

 

So we laid out 10 points above on how to narrow down the gap between the wedding photographers you are looking at. A couple of final considerations are the type of lighting your photographer will be using, the equipment/filters, how many assistants, and photo copyrights. Now that you have been given some great advice on how to choose a wedding photographer, it is up to you to make the final decision.

 

 

Mike Dubnoff asked:


Planning a wedding takes time, patience, and enough understanding of what goes on at a wedding to make the right decisions.  There are many wedding planning sites available on the internet and they can be a good starting point.  But deciding on the vendors that will help you on your wedding day is a complicated venture.  Hopefully this article will provide some insights into how to choose the best wedding vendors for this very important day.

Over the past 25 years at Dubnoff Wedding Photography, I have had the opportunity to speak with well over a thousand engaged couples.  I am always surprised by some of the criteria many of them use to choose their wedding vendors. Here are 6 suggestions I often make to brides and grooms searching for wedding vendors for their big day:

1.  RESEARCH WEDDING VENDOR REFERRALS.  Be careful here because many wedding vendors trade referrals with other wedding professionals with no real knowledge of the other’s work. They make deals with partner vendors to give out business cards to brides and grooms that they meet. Many times it’s an honest referral based upon working a few weddings with one another.  But how much can a DJ, for example, really know about the quality of a wedding photographer’s work?  Often times this type of referral is just based on the fact that the DJ has worked with the photographer at a number of events and liked him or her. Did the DJ ever see the final result? Did they see the wedding album? Probably not. Be sure when receiving this type of referral you ask the vendor why they are making the referral and the criteria they are using. Then check their story out with the vendor they referred.  Obviously, you should try to obtain other referrals especially from married couples who have experience with the referred vendor.

2. DON’T CHOOSE A WEDDING PROFESIONAL BASED SOLELY ON A “GREATEST HITS” PORTFOLIO OF THEIR WORK. This rule particularly applies to choosing your photographer, videographer, florist or caterer. As a wedding photographer myself I can assure you that there is nothing more misleading regarding a photographer’s talent than looking at a sample wedding album that is a compilation of their best shots at a 100 different weddings. Ask to be shown an album of one entire wedding from start to finish. Virtually anybody with a decent camera can get one great shot per wedding!  The same goes for florists.  Make sure that they show you examples of the flowers they provided for one entire wedding. Any caterer can give you some yummy appetizers to sample, but how many different dishes do they offer?  Can they show you photos of one entire food service at a wedding?  Again, the challenge for a vendor at a wedding is doing EVERYTHING right, not just 1 or 2 things.

3. CAREFULLY ASSESS THE PERSONALITY OF THE INDIVIDUAL WHO WILL BE HANDLING YOUR WEDDING. This is a very important point that is often overlooked. You will be spending most of your day with your photographer, DJ, wedding coordinator or videographer.  It’s not enough that they are good at what they do.  Make sure you can get along with this person and find them pleasant to be around.  Rude and bossy photographers can cause problems with your guests and make your day miserable.  A DJ will be interacting with many people at your wedding including you.  Make sure he or she is friendly and easy to get along with. 

4. USING FRIENDS OR RELATIVES TO SERVICE YOUR WEDDING. Only if they are professional!  This is one of the biggest mistakes made by brides and grooms. Perhaps they have a cousin who is great with music or an uncle who always takes all the photos at family events.  Trust me, providing these types of services at a wedding is entirely different due to the stress, volume and time constraints involved. Some experience with weddings is absolutely necessary. The fact that “Uncle Bob” is good with his new digital camera does not mean he can handle a wedding. Your sister does wonderful work with flowers?  That’s great but has she ever decorated a huge church?  Has she produced 7 bouquets the night before an event?  I can’t tell you how often I have seen well meaning friends or relatives completely ruin their particular part of the wedding. Be very careful here.

5. LOOK FOR SIMPLE PRICING. One of the most common stories I hear from brides and grooms is how they spent so much more on a particular wedding service than they were led to believe. If you can’t understand the pricing or packages, keep looking.  You should make it clear to the vendor that you expect COMPLETE SERVICE from them. This means that on the day of the wedding, the florist should not be telling you that there is no pedestal available for the flower arrangement in the church, so now you will be charged for one to be brought in.  Make it clear that you won’t stand for that. Ala carte pricing can confuse and be misleading.  Look for a vendor who offers complete package pricing, but offers the flexibility to alter the package to suit your needs.

6. IS THE VENDOR WORKING FOR YOU?  When you interview a vendor pay close attention to how they handle the presentation. Do they ask questions?  Are they concerned with what is important to you at your wedding?  If a vendor presentation is just one long speech about how wonderful they are, this may not be the right person for you.  Look for vendors who ask YOU what you want for your wedding.  As a wedding photographer, one of the first things I ask a couple during my presentation is what THEY are looking for in a photographer.  Right away, this establishes whether a good match exists between vendor and the bride and groom.  But more importantly, it tells you something about the person.  If they ask you lots of questions, chances are they really do care about providing a service that truly fits your needs.      

This list was intended to assist you in making the very difficult decisions involved when planning a wedding. It is not a complete list, but it should help you understand what’s important. There is no substitute for good, solid referrals from other brides and grooms with recent experience.